Enfield High School - Echo Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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6 The Enfield Echo Prominent activities during 1939 and 1940 were the glee club, the Hi-Y, and the basketball team, which boasted of whipping the day-lights out of the varsity team, a feat never accomplished. As the year progressed, my family was faced with the task of selecting potential and competent officers. The honors went to Joe Czipulis, president; Wanda Parvelac and Gene Furey, vice- presidents; Ann Scavotto, secretary, and Lucyan Augustyniak, treasurer. Many fond memories were cherished that first winter. When Mother Nature drew the curtains at 5 o’clock each one of us found delight in walking home. And then there was the enviable but not forgotten dancing school. How well 1 remember the struggling efforts of my family as it endeavored to enhance its gracefulness through the patient tutelage of Hazel and Tommy. It still remains a mystery as to why these two enthusiasts did not continue their teaching to another freshman group. Alas, spring came, and as the days grew longer and tbe year shorter, each member of the family eagerly looked forward to the coming year. I returned in the fall of 1940, older, wiser, and much more confident. At least I thought 1 was important until I tried to walk through the downstairs corridor while classes were passing and was literally trampled upon by my elder brothers, 1941 and 1942. How to assert my rights! Ah, the freshmen! They are innocent and gullible. This idea was short-lived, however, as this year’s crop made it known that one year didn’t add much to one’s growth. It wasn’t long before the talents of the family were recognized. In the fall “Geese” Baronian and Ann Scavotto were given stellar roles in the Hi-Y minstrel. Their performances added a feather to my cap. Now that the ice was broken, nothing could stop my prog- ress. During the year I entered into extra-curricular activities, such as the Hi-Y, the Girl Reserves, and the glee club, to say nothing of basketball, with such well-known stars as Steve Triolo, Joe Czipulis, and Henry Buika. The second year was also marked by the organization of a new uniformed cheering squad, with Ann Scavotto and Doris Bechard representing the family. The popularity and commendable work of Wanda Parvelac, Ann Scavotto, and Lucyan Augustyniak helped them to retain their honors as vice-president, secretary, and treasurer respectively, while a new leader arose from our midst in the person of Bill O’Brien to carry on the responsibilities of president. The year rolled on and spring came again. I became conscious of the fact that I was aging rapidly by the loss of my esteemed brother, 1941. Keenly looking forward to another year, one in which I would be the second eldest member of my family, I was scarcely aware of the momentous step to be taken in my family history.

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tTbe Enftelb Ecbo Published at intervals during the school year by the members of the Enfield Public High School, Thompsonville, Conn. Entered as second-class matter February 21, 1917, at the Post Office at Thompsonville. Conn., under the Act of March 3. 1879. VOL. 30 THOMPSONVILLE, CONN., JUNE, 1943 NO. 1 ADDRESS OF WELCOME (By Robert Keller, President) As president of the class of 1943, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you our parents, teachers, and friends, to our class night exercises. This is a momentous occasion for us. We have been students in this school for four years, working together and playing together. Many important changes due to the war have affected our class directly. We are the first class to have had courses in aeronautics. For the first time this year the entire school studied War Economics, First Aid and Air Raid Protection. One of our classmates was called to the colors in January; most of the boys in this class will be inducted into the army this summer. Jobs have been plentiful and we are proud of the fact that over ninety percent of the seniors have been working afternoons or evenings this past year. Tonight on the eve of a changing world which will affect every- one of us greatly, we turn our thoughts in lighter vein to the happy hours spent at Enfield. We hope that you will enjoy the program we have prepared for you as we share our reminiscences of the past four years. Once again, a hearty welcome to you from the Class of ’43. CLASS HISTORY (By Myrtle Merrill) Please Remember Me I was born on a bright, sunny day in the month of September, the year 1939, and was called 1943. I was an enormous child, haughty, arrogant, and possessed with big ideas. I was especially proud of having a home of my own, since my elder brothers and sisters were seldom around in the afternoon. However, I soon be- came acquainted with the older members of my vast family—via the detention slip, a privilege indulged in by a rare but select minority.

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The Enfield Echo 7 When I returned again in the fall of 1941, I realized the loss of the head of my great family, Mr. Parkman, Superintendent of Schools. His absence is keenly felt at the family gatherings, but he will long remain in our hearts. Mr. Lee, our principal, was elected to take Mr. Parkman’s place, and Mr. Langford replaced Mr. Lee. I enjoyed a very active and profitable year under the friendly guidance of Mr. Langford. The Hi-Y minstrel was a howling suc- cess under the direction of comedy-master Mr. Tatoian. The leads in the school play were enriched by Esther Radosti, Warren Haight, Myrtle Merrill, and Therese DuBois. 1 proved that I deserved the right to wear long pants by making my Junior Prom something to be long remembered. The dignity and success of the prom was complete under the reign of Host Warren Haight and Hostess Doris Bechard. Bill O’Brien and Wanda Parvelac were again chosen for presi- dent and vice-president, and Edith Magill was elected secretary with Bob Keller as treasurer. Due to adverse conditions, it was suggested that the Washing- ton trip be taken this year, rather than wait until after the duration. Many of my family made the trip with the pompous Seniors and returned filled with the enthusiasm of the born traveler. Those who were unable to make the trip were envious of the more fortunate ones. That spring we lost a very valuable member of our family. Our loss, however, was Mr. Langford’s gain, as he left the family circle to take up the superintendency in Putnam. The next fall I returned to welcome Mr. Hassett as the new principal. He has worked faithfully and diligently with us and for us, and I am proud to be the first class to graduate under him. The first event of my crowning year was the Senior-Freshman Reception, where I mingled with the small fry and welcomed them into the family. Now I was the eldest, the wisest and the strongest member of my family. I held the enviable position of the Senior! Defiant from the start, I chose an entirely new slate of officers. President, Bob Keller; vice-president, Mike Panella; secretary, Rosalie D’Aleo; and treasurer, Bob Starr. The Hi-Y minstrel once again proved successful with Warren Haight acting as master of ceremonies. Dwelling for a moment on that performance, how can I forget the foolish antics of Baronian, the precision and beauty of the Follies Bergere, not to mention others. The White Christmas Prom’s success was due in no small meas- ure to the efforts of Bob Keller who acted as general chairman. He and Myrtle Merrill, as host and hostess, added to the evening’s festivities. The school play, “Sky Roads,” saw many of my family capably displaying their talents. Those participating were Donald Richards, Myrtle Merrill, Warren Haight, Bob Starr, and Gen O’Hara.